Black Power and Civil Rights Movement

 The picture I chose is the Black Power salute photo that was taken over 50 years ago. When Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists during the 1968 Olympics it was a cry for freedom. They used this as a global stage to show people that they have had enough of being treated like second-class citizens. I believe this was the most profound picture because death comes and goes but the black struggle has been around for a long time. These men had this all planned out for the political protest.

They took their shoes off to show that they are tired of the poverty-stricken conditions blacks have to live. They wanted lynchings to stop so they wore beads and a scarf.

They were bold enough to stop the misconception that all is good in the world. Two black athletes, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos made a silent political protest to fight for what they believe in to tell the world we need help. They were using a message saying “I am Black and I am proud” that was an anthem that was happening in the 1960s. When ‘The Star-Spangled Banner” began to play, Smith lowered his head and raised his right fist. Just like today, this reminds me of the same things that are going on today with Colin Kaepernick and his kneeling because of black protest. Their message was for black people to be treated equally. Kaepernick’s has done the same thing Smith and Carlos did 50 years ago because the same is still happening like racial injustices.

So it shows that not much has changed since then so was it all worth if nothing has changed. I think it was a need for change and they did make it happen because they did bring attention to how America treats black people. All three activist show us when you stand up for your rights you get blackball for speaking up so it stops other for belief in something better and taking action. Even though they had one of the century’s most iconic sports photo at the time it was a lot more shocking at the time it was taken. Not everyone supported what the two men did they made it hard for them to continue in life. It’s never easy to fight for what you believe in. This protest by the two athletes have been made out to be about a crime of treachery amongst people who didn’t like what they did. They brought attention to issues that needed a voice to people that were not being heard.

They were fighting for racial discrimination in America and made the Olympics the perfect place to protest because the whole world could see not just America. They put up their fist to let the world know we are here and not going anywhere. Black people often have the raised fist as a symbol of resistance against being enslaved. Black power was a form of pride that became popular during the civil rights movement. The raised fist may represent unity or solidarity, generally with oppressed peoples. The black fist, also known as the Black Power fist is a logo generally associated with black nationalism and sometimes socialism. Black activist used the fist as a sign of togetherness. The black fist was a sign to come out of the shackles and fight back.

When you are activist it’s a high price to pay when you are fighting against injustices. You can lose your life, job, and your image can be forever tarnished. By these people doing this they lose it all because they didn’t have people believing in them. When you Raise a Fist or Take a Knee it shows people you care and you can’t take something anymore. You have to believe in what you stand for because people will make you think otherwise. When you stand for nothing you will fall for anything. Being an activist is not just a job it’s a way of life that you shouldn’t take lightly. You have to be a strong person to do this move because all types of thing can come your way. When the two athletes returned home they received death threats and people that they thought was on their side turn on them.

Although you make Awareness to something and you show the importance of it. Activism is hard because setbacks will happen and people will disagree with what you have said or did. Knowing that you are doing it for all the right reasons makes everything worth wild with a no regrets type of feeling. Without this action, these men doing the Black Power Movement they would not have made this known to the world. The Black Power Movement was a necessary part of American history. The spotlight that was brought to the movement during a time when blacks were said to be equal citizens of the United States of America but sure wasn’t treated like it. It was not the same as the civil rights the movement which was a nonviolent call and the Black Power Movement was any means necessary and we are not waiting around for help we will do ourselves.

The Civil Rights Movement made a lot of wonderful things happen but black people still was fed up with their treatment and no longer wanted to be treated like second-class members of America any longer. They believe that time was up and black people deserved the same as white people got. Black Americans wanted to live the same, go to the same schools and have the same equal right. The reason people was not really on board of the whole act was that people were scared of the black panthers. What the civil rights movement couldn’t do the black power movement did make possible. Many black Americans used the black power movement to obtain equality in America even though it might have been fierce and alarming at times.

With the new movement, they changed their style and embrace their natural hair. The movement helped change and shape the African American culture. Some people have failed to notice the changes that were made to help many African Americans. The Black Power movement encouraged blacks to feel more empowered and have pride in who they were. They wanted people to know who they could be and not told who they have to be. The movement had more blacks enroll in colleges and universities and had them learn more about their past to improve their future. Some of the greatest minds in the history of America are Black and African Americans.

White America started to see that black people were human as well and that they should have equal rights. I believe that all people should be treated equally no matter there race or color. We all should come together as one and not hate each other cause of the race or color they are. Because we all need each other believe it or not but we do. I feel like there should be more things done for the black people now then what is being done. I’m glad that we have activist that have the courage to believe in what they want to live for and stand up about it.

Works Cited

1. Brown, D. L. (2018, October 16). ‘A cry for freedom’: The Black Power salute that rocked the world 50 years ago.
2. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2018/10/16/a-cry-freedom-black-power-salute-that-rocked-world-years-ago/ October 16, 2018 From the Black Power Salute to Colin Kaepernick: What’s changed?CNN November 19, 2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/sport/black-power-salute-olympics-colin-kaepernick-50th-anniversary-spt-intl/index.html
3. ~Cosgrove, B. (n.d.). Black Power Salute: Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics. Retrieved September 27, 2014, from http://time.com/3880999/black-power-salute-tommie-smith-and-john-carlos-at-the-1968-olympics/
4. ~November 19, 2018GCC News | Al JazeeraOctober 17, 2018 The Smith-Carlos Black Power salute: Once vilified, now praisedGCC News |https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/smith-carlos-black-power-salute-vilified-praised-181016130640280.html

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